Whether you're involved in a minor fender-bender or a serious multicar collision, a car accident can leave you with injuries that require medical treatment and ongoing care. Some types of injuries occur more frequently than others. This guide discusses three of the most common and their symptoms so you know when you need medical attention.

A Guide to Auto Injuries

1. Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissues of the neck and shoulders. It most often results from the sudden stop a car makes during a crash, causing the head and neck to snap backward or forward in an abrupt motion. This movement strains the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the neck and shoulders, triggering symptoms like extreme pain in these areas, an inability to move one's head, headaches, and dizziness. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate pain medications, exercises, and other treatments that will help heal whiplash the most quickly.

2. Back Injuries

Back injuries can range from relatively mild problems like herniated discs to more critical issues like spinal cord damage. The blunt-force impact of the collision jolts the back violently into different positions, affecting the muscles, nerves, and bones located there. Back pain after a car accident should always be checked out by a doctor, especially if it is accompanied by a loss of sensation in the back or any other part of the body.

3. Head Injuries

During an accident, your head might hit the dashboard, window, or steering wheel and leave you with a head injury. This can cause headaches, concussions, cognitive issues, or even traumatic brain injuries. Such problems may not produce immediate symptoms; in the moments following the crash, your head might feel fine, but see a doctor as soon as possible. They will determine if any injuries are present, and even in cases where no serious problems appear, they will explain what signs to watch for in the days and weeks ahead that would signal the need for emergency treatment.

If you have suffered these or any other car accident injuries, contact Accident Doctors in Mesa, AZ. Their qualified emergency doctors treat all types of car accident injuries for clients in Gilbert, Phoenix, and the surrounding region. They gladly provide urgent medical services and also help with attorney referrals. Call (602) 632-0000 or visit them online to learn more about their services.